Letter from the editor: A resolution that will not be broken: we will invest in our journalism in 2025

Happy New Year, loyal readers! Last week in this space I summarized some of the best work MLive journalists created in 2024. In the spirit of looking ahead, I want to tell you how we plan to build on that in 2025.

One responsibility we take seriously is our role as guardians of state and local government. Last year, for example, we investigated the DeVos family’s campaign donations in one series and then examined Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s promise to “fix the damn roads” in another.

“Covering the communities where we live and work is the most important job we have,” said Kelly Adrian Frick, vice president of content at MLive. “That includes everything from city hall to high school gyms. “We are committed to vibrant coverage in our eight major cities and beyond.”

MLive journalists investigate issues affecting the health and well-being of Michiganders. Last year that included exposing dangerous nursing homes; In 2025, one of our investigations will delve into patient (and family) complaints at Michigan mental health facilities.

Our reporters have already learned that “compliance rates” for patient rights processes have worsened substantially in two years, facilities are largely self-policing, and the complaints system is tainted by conflicts of interest.

We also have an investigation on the working conditions of migrant workers in Michigan on the agenda. One of the stories will describe a migrant worker who became seriously ill while working in Michigan and was then sent home to Mexico, where he later died. The report will include a powerful interview with his widow.

Another project in 2025 will address staffing shortages in Michigan prisons, something that we start reporting in 2024. Our deeper dive will include tracking the resulting overtime costs and tracking proposed legislation to address the issue.

There’s more than just hard news investigations and investigations on MLive – our readership figures make that abundantly clear. A popular topic is our fantastic travel and destination coverage, highlighting natural wonders and hidden gems across the state. We did more travel coverage than ever in 2024 and the reader response has been “more, please.”

“We love our state and we love traveling in our state,” Frick said. “Finding unique places to visit and great restaurants is as much fun for us as it is for our readers.”

Look for even more stories about places to go, things to do, and great food to eat in the year ahead. If you don’t want to miss it, sign up for our Michigan’s best weekend newsletter. (A premium newsletter, Lovable Michigan, is available to subscribers only.)

Additionally, Detroit sports have had a notable renaissance with the rise of the Detroit Lions to the NFL’s elite, the Tigers making an exciting run in the MLB playoffs, and signs of improvement in a young Pistons basketball team. .

MLive was there when things weren’t so rosy, and we’re putting out more coverage, not just stories, but with podcasts and newsletters to meet the demand.

The additional focus we are making in the areas mentioned above adds to our bread and butter: daily reporting on government, schools, crime and business development in each of our eight major communities in Michigan.

Each of those newsrooms investigates important topics, such as the political turmoil in Ottawa County in western Michigan or the uneasy dynamics as the University of Michigan expands its reach in Ann Arbor.

“In everything we do, we want to stay on top of what matters to Michiganders. “If there’s a story we’re missing, we want to know it,” Frick said.

I leave you with a resolution: We will do work that matters, at the local and state level, in 2025. We want to do more, do it better, and make change.

I would ask you two things to help us succeed: consider a digital subscription to MLivewho pays for this journalism. And as Frick asks, tell us what you want more of and how we’re doing it. Send your ideas and suggestions to [email protected] and we’ll make sure they reach our editors.

It’s a new year. Let’s make it great for journalism in Michigan.